University Intern Teaching Credentials are issued to individuals who upon completion of the required minimum 120 hour intern preservice preparation have enrolled at a college or university in a Commission-approved intern program. These one to two-year programs are administered by California colleges and universities in partnership with local employing agencies and are designed to provide participants with classroom experience while they complete course work requirements for the preliminary credential. University Intern Teaching Credentials authorize the holder to serve, under the supervision of a Commission-approved college or university and the holder’s employer, in the area or subject listed on the credential. University Intern Teaching Credentials are offered in the following areas:
- Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization
- Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization
- Single Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization
- Single Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization
- Education Specialist Instruction Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization
Requirements for Issuance
Multiple and Single Subject Intern Credentials
Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements for the Multiple or Single Subject Credential:
- Possess a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.
- Verify knowledge of the subject to be taught by one of the following methods:
- Pass the appropriate subject matter examination(s). See Credential leaflet CL-674S for examination information for Single Subject Credentials; see Credential leaflet CL-674M for Multiple Subject Credentials.
- Complete a Commission-approved subject-matter preparation program.
- For specialized science subjects only, individuals may have taken and passed the appropriate subject matter examination(s) or obtained verification of completion of subject matter course work from the Commission as explained in Coded Correspondence 03-0010 [1]
- Successful completion of applicable coursework verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework must be completed at a regionally-accredited institution and addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single or Multiple Subject Credential.
- Complete a degree major from a regionally-accredited college or university. For a Single Subject Teaching Credential, the degree major must be in one of the statutory single subjects available as listed below. For a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, the degree major must be in liberal studies or interdisciplinary studies.
- Successful completion through a combination of items a-d as described above verifying that the applicant has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single or Multiple Subject Credential.
Note [1]: The last administration of the examinations in the Specialized Sciences was July 11, 2015. These examinations are no longer available. Applicants will have five years from the date passed to use those examination scores toward obtaining California certification. The last date to verify subject-matter equivalency by coursework for any of the Specialized Sciences was July 11, 2015. See Coded Correspondence 14-09.
- Complete a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university.
- Completed application submitted through a Commission-approved program sponsor by online recommendation.
The statutory subjects available for Single Subject Intern Credential are as follows:
Art
Biological Sciences (Specialized)
Business
Chemistry (Specialized)
Dance
English
Foundational-Level General Science
Foundational-Level Mathematics
Geosciences (Specialized)
Health Science
Home Economics
Industrial and Technology
Education
Music
Physical Education
Physics (Specialized)
Science: Biological Sciences
Science: Chemistry
Science: Geosciences
Science: Physics
Social Science
Theater
World Language: English Language
Development
World Languages-Languages other than
English (specify)
Education Specialist Intern Credentials
For Education Specialist Intern Credentials, individuals must satisfy the items listed above. Subject matter competence must be verified in a statutory subject area for the Single Subject or for Multiple Subject. This may be done by one of the following methods:
- Pass the appropriate subject matter examination(s). See Credential leaflet CL-674S for examination information for Single Subject Credentials; see Credential leaflet CL-674M for Multiple Subject Credentials.
- Complete a Commission-approved subject-matter preparation program.
- Successful completion of applicable coursework verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework must be completed at a regionally-accredited institution and addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single or Multiple Subject Credential.
- Complete a degree major from a regionally-accredited college or university. The degree major must be in one of the statutory single subjects available as listed above, in liberal studies or interdisciplinary studies.
- Successful completion through a combination of items a-d as described above verifying that the applicant has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single or Multiple Subject Credential.
Period of Validity
Intern Credentials are valid for two calendar years. Employment is restricted to a specific school agency. A onetime, one-year extension by appeal is available at the request of the Commission-approved university intern program when an educator fails to complete the program in the time allotted due to a hardship. Application for an extension requires submission of a paper application (Form 41-4) through the program sponsor. See Credential Leaflet AL-3 for details on submitting a request for extension.
For more information go to the Commission-Approved Professional Preparation Programs, or visit the Commission's website.
Completion of the Intern Program
Each candidate for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Bilingual Authorization, or the Education Specialist Instruction Credential must pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
When the intern has successfully completed the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA), RICA (if needed), and the experience requirement, the program will recommend the intern for a 5-year preliminary credential. Available credential options, based on the candidate's program, are as follows:
- Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization.
- Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization.
- Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization.
- Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization.
- Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization.
Upon successful completion of the intern program and recommendation for an appropriate preliminary credential, candidates must complete a 2-year teacher induction program to be eligible for the clear credential. Please review this information on clearing your credential.
CL-402A May 2021